Sunday, September 18, 2005

BHV: Le Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville

My aversion to French grand magazins on the right bank has a special provision, an exclusion clause of sorts: whenever in Paris, shopping at BHV is de rigueur.

I love shopping at BHV.

Think of Le Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville (or BHV for short) as a sort of Macy's, Sephora, Williams Sonoma, Sears and Home Depot combined into one multi-leveled department store. Right on rue de Rivoli (4 arr, Métro: Hôtel de Ville, in the Marais) BHV is a truly underrated little shopping haven.

The store might not be the ideal place for shopping snobs or fashionistas but it happens to be one of the best kept secrets for home cooks and gadget freaks looking to load up on everything for kitchen and
table in one location.

The fact that is within spitting distance from my hotel is not only a dangerous incentive but an opportunity to do a few reconnaissance trips before deciding on a purchase or being able to load up on whatever I might need and swiftly drop it back in my room before passing out from shopping overload.

From a decent selection of Bodum, Limoges, linens, cookbooks, épicerie, fresh flowers, silver, glassware, heavy Le Creuset and colorful Staub, crystal to small appliances (back in March we picked up a schnazzy Calor steam iron I've brought with me take with me this time around to take care of any pesky wrinkles) and even their own café on the 7th floor with a great view of the city. BHV has it all.

Plus they host many author book signing events and cooking demonstrations that though very popular (the place can get as crowded as Printemps or Lafayette on a Saturday) are not to be missed.

And then, if you happen to be a member of the female persuasion, after you've taken care of your all your cooking related shopping needs you can always head out to the perfume, cosmetics and drugstore departments and stock up on everything from inexpensive Eau de Cologne to Serge Lutens, from toothpaste to Helena Rubinstein makeup and skincare (sadly discontinued from the US and Canada markets).

Or simply buy a bright colored Longchamp Pliage to take to the market or perhaps a new suitcase to take back home your extra loot.
Been there, done that.

Comments

My aversion to French grand magazins on the right bank has a special provision, an exclusion clause of sorts: whenever in Paris, shopping at BHV is de rigueur.

I love shopping at BHV.

Think of Le Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville (or BHV for short) as a sort of Macy's, Sephora, Williams Sonoma, Sears and Home Depot combined into one multi-leveled department store. Right on rue de Rivoli (4 arr, Métro: Hôtel de Ville, in the Marais) BHV is a truly underrated little shopping haven.

The store might not be the ideal place for shopping snobs or fashionistas but it happens to be one of the best kept secrets for home cooks and gadget freaks looking to load up on everything for kitchen and
table in one location.

The fact that is within spitting distance from my hotel is not only a dangerous incentive but an opportunity to do a few reconnaissance trips before deciding on a purchase or being able to load up on whatever I might need and swiftly drop it back in my room before passing out from shopping overload.

From a decent selection of Bodum, Limoges, linens, cookbooks, épicerie, fresh flowers, silver, glassware, heavy Le Creuset and colorful Staub, crystal to small appliances (back in March we picked up a schnazzy Calor steam iron I've brought with me take with me this time around to take care of any pesky wrinkles) and even their own café on the 7th floor with a great view of the city. BHV has it all.

Plus they host many author book signing events and cooking demonstrations that though very popular (the place can get as crowded as Printemps or Lafayette on a Saturday) are not to be missed.

And then, if you happen to be a member of the female persuasion, after you've taken care of your all your cooking related shopping needs you can always head out to the perfume, cosmetics and drugstore departments and stock up on everything from inexpensive Eau de Cologne to Serge Lutens, from toothpaste to Helena Rubinstein makeup and skincare (sadly discontinued from the US and Canada markets).

Or simply buy a bright colored Longchamp Pliage to take to the market or perhaps a new suitcase to take back home your extra loot.
Been there, done that.